Devara Review: NTR excels in this fictional, formulaic sea pirates story
Cast: Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Prakash Raj, Tom Chacko
The film begins with the Central Minister urging security agencies to find out two wanted criminals who have connections in overseas dons and are worried about some attack during the upcoming cricket world cup. Police officer (Ajay) begins to track down and reaches this hill town which is surrounded by seas. He gets to know about Devara who was a ferocious pirate and later reformed after getting to know about his harmful work.
Hailing from the legacy of freedom fighters and warriors, this hill tribe have become pirates and smugglers but NTR realised his folly and asked his friends to shun illegal work and begin fishing. His friend turned foe Saif Ali Khan who hates normal living, hatches a plan to kill NTR and take over people on the hill. Will younger NTR be able to stop the mighty Saif’s ruthless thugs without his father, forming the rest of the story.
After essaying the role of a tribal-guy turned warrior in ‘RRR’, the scion of Nandamuri family picks a fisherman role and does justice to his role. His younger role is a bit unconvincing and the mission is more confusing. Janhvi Kapoor's much-hyped Telugu debut is not good enough as she used glam quotient and songs. However, Sail Ali Khan impresses as a ruthless baddy and carries the film on his broad shoulders with his menacing looks and acts. Prakash Raj, Ajay and others have limited roles to play.
Anirudh Ravichander’s background score enhances the mood at times and his two songs are just ok. While cinematographer Rathnavel has more work to and captures some breathtaking action near brimming sea waters and even in underwater sequences.
Director Koratala Siva should have selected a relatable script, than a fictional and weak plot for a big hero like NTR. He just banks on NTR’s heroism and anger image and elevates it, but the emotional core among characters is missing. His concept of invisible fear would have worked better, if he had a good script on hand which is real and familiar. Hope ‘Erra Samudram” (blood thirsty sea) doesn’t sink his comeback plans.